FOOD LOVE

Oct 13, 2009

WRITER'S CHALLENGE #1

I would like to thank all of you for participating in my first Writer's Challenge. Feel free to take the Quill and inkpot for your post. Invite your friends.
I thought the topic of "one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for you" was appropriate for this weekend because it is Canadian Thanksgiving. Here is my story.

I am a lucky woman. I have had many kind and loving things done for me in my life. They all have meant so much to me. Some were caring and kind. Some were thoughtful and helpful. But one stands out the most because it came from love.

My mother passed away when I was 25 years old. My father was not around. My mom had so little when she died. A bit of cheap furniture, one nice set of dishes, some odds and ends. My siblings and I just shared the bits and pieces according to our needs at the time. Nothing to fight about because there was nothing there.

One Christmas, several years later we were at my in-laws home for Christmas Eve, or Holy Night as they referred to it. My in-laws celebrated Holy Night in the European tradition. Of course there were candles and greenery. A wispy tree with natural ornaments on it. Picture some silver money tree bunches clustered in front of some of the tree lights. Little feathered birds and gauzy angel hair. The kids were always busting with anticipation for the gifts but they had to wait until after dinner. I guess I was just as excited. Christmas as a child in our sparse home was less than plain with my mom often depending on a food hamper for our Christmas dinner.

This particular year my husband's brother and his wife and kids were there too. We enjoyed our dinner though what we had escapes me. The gift opening started with the youngest child choosing a gift to pass to someone to open. Tradition. No ripping off the paper here. A deliberate act of enjoying the wrapping and card. The expressions of thanks to the gift giver. The sharing of the gift with everyone there to see. One at a time slowly savored.

There were many gifts given and received that night. It had been a lovely evening celebration. The kids were playing with their gifts. The adults were in animated conversations back and forth around the rooms. As I came out of the washroom my mother in law was waiting for me in the hallway. She took me aside and put something in my hand and said "This is for you because you don't have a mommy around anymore to pass these things down to you". When I opened my hand there was a delicate gold chain with a beautiful pendant on it. It was my birthstone, an opal. She then told me that this opal necklace had belonged to her mother long since gone. I thought I would collapse. I cherish this necklace. I so appreciate the reasons why she gave it to me. It was a private gift and not a Christmas gift to be opened in front of others. She knew I had nothing tangible of my mothers and would never inherit a lovely piece of jewelry. She knew I was sad that my mother was no longer here and it was especially hard at Christmas. It was such a generous gift and I am not referring to money. It was the nicest thing someone has ever done for me and it was given with love.

Similar but not the actual one.

Please enter your post url below and email me with any questions. I am so excited to read all of your stories. Thanks so much for joining in. I will leave Mr. Linky up until Wedsnesday.

29 comments:

Oh, sweet Lori. I could cry over this post. You truly received a gift of love and I totally understand why you find this to be the nicest thing ever done for you. Now your question brings to mind so many of the things in my life for which I will forever be grateful...that someone did for me.

Is there a time period in which to post? The link is still up.

I hope with all my heart you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend!

Hi LoriI hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are going to my son's/girlfriends parents house. All I had to make was fresh cranberry sauce and sweet potato smash casserole. Easy peasy.You are not a "challenged writer" in the least. You are a GREAT writer. your story is heat warming. I also had a great MIL... she's gone now, and I miss her very very much.I on the other hand would be challenged, that's what it's all about isn't it?I have a post going up for our Thanksgiving, and I should have thought of a better meaning around it, with your challenge in mind.... not sure if I will have time. Keep it going OK? I promise to accept the challenge very soon.I have lot's to say lolLove Claudiexoxo

Lori-I have been away all day and couldn't wait to read your post. This is so special. I too lost my mother as a very young adult. My mother in law (whom I known since I was 13)treated me like a daughter and I loved her very much. I can think of no higher compliment to you. Your MIL is a very wise and caring woman! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, now I JUST put my makeup on, and I'm smearing it with tears. What a beautiful story. I have a wonderful story of the kindness of friends and strangers, but ... I am zooming out of the door now to take my daughter Anne to lunch and then to see the first play she costumed in school -- ack! won't be back till probably dinner time or a little later, but I will write then. Sorry it will be so late. Yesterday was entirely taken up with bringing my Dad to see the beach house -- got home almost midnight! This story was wonderful, and beautifully written, too, Lori. What a lovely memory.Cass

What a lovely story. My MIL and I were very close, too. AS I am reading the stories of the other participants, I count myself lucky that my story wasn't due to a serious life-altering event. Bless all the participants.

Oh Lori, what a wonderfully written story. I too have tears in my eyes. Your Mother-in-law is cerainly a treasure. Thank you for sharing this very personal story. I'm sure you will cherish the memory always.Happy Thanksgiving,Karen

I want to thank all of your for your kind comments. She really is a lovely woman who has had quite a life. For those of you who linked up with your own stories, thank you. I loved what you shared and notice that nothing was wildly extravagant but it is the little thoughtful things that have made a difference in our lives. Remember we are going to keep this open for a couple more days to give you time to write your story. I will certainly run another one and remember you don't have to be a writer extraordinaire to join in. Heck I didn't even graduate high school. Just join in, you will be glad you did.

What a wonderful story Lori, and what a beautiful woman! The thought and care that went into this gift was priceless. She sounds like she is a very special person. Thanks so much for hosting this challenge. I'm not a writer by any means, but I linked up (needed to get permission from a blogger friend before I posted it). Kathy

Lori - I am back home and attempting to catch up with everyone on the Blogs - you are my first visit and I am so pleased to read your story. Just loved it - your MIL sounds like a darling!!! Thanks for sharing and LOVE the pendant!!! Opal just happens to be my stone too *grins*